Islands – The Cosmic Array

Impeccable songwriting, masterful storytelling with three part Harmonies – Modern Canadian Roots Music from Red Moon Road. Folkwit Records are proud to be releasing the latest album, Sorrows & Glories:

“Sheena’s one of the best Canadian singers around the roots scene, with a vibrancy and flexibility to her voice that you don’t often encounter. The best of Red Moon Road is very impressive indeed.”– David Kidman, FATEA

“Truly compelling… Sorrows and Glories is a fitting title for an album that deals with contrasts and extremes. Musical shifts echo both the wild changes of the Canadian seasons and the journey from disaster to recovery.”– Redrospective

Canadian folk/roots darlings Red Moon Road return to the U.K. this October in support of the new full-length studio album “Sorrows and Glories” (Released Oct. 2016 in the U.K. by Folkwit Records). Live, Red Moon Road make a much bigger sound than one would expect from a trio. In an impressive, well-choreographed show they incorporate impeccable three-part harmonies, a roots drum kit split entertainingly and pragmatically between two band members, and an acoustic guitar cleverly rigged to also be a bass. Simultaneously, a moustached man plays mandolin, lap steel, banjo and organ (often at the same time), and subtle technological wizardry whirls while the unmistakable soulful voice of one of Canada’s most talented singers soars above it all. The unique show is equal parts polished songwriting, undeniable musicianship, compelling storytelling and engaging showmanship.

Road-warrior festival veterans Red Moon Road make a much bigger sound than one would expect from a trio. In an impressive, well-choreographed show they incorporate impeccable three-part harmonies, a roots drum kit split entertainingly and pragmatically between two band members, and an acoustic guitar cleverly rigged to also be a bass. Simultaneously, a moustached man plays mandolin, lap steel, banjo and organ (often at the same time), and subtle technological wizardry whirls while the unmistakable soulful voice of one of Canada’s most talented singers soars above it all. The unique show is equal parts polished songwriting, undeniable musicianship, compelling storytelling and engaging showmanship.

The path towards the new Red Moon Road album, ‘Sorrows and Glories’, began with a shattered leg, a cancelled tour and a long 2000 km trip home. Luckily, the Winnipeg folk trio is known for surviving adversity, spinning stories into songs and, more often, breaking hearts with stunning musicianship.

Red Moon Road, formed in 2012 by Daniel Jordan, Sheena Rattai and Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner, are now fully healed and returned from a year of extensive and adventure filled touring across 7 countries in Europe and North America. ‘Sorrows and Glories’ (their third album, released in Fall 2015) has already spent three weeks at number one on the Earshot! National Folk/Roots/Blues Charts and has delighted listeners world wide.

Sorrows and Glories was recorded by producer/engineer/Juno recipient, David Travers-Smith (Wailin’ Jennys, Ruth Moody) and award winning producer/player Murray Pulver (Doc Walker, Steve Bell) and delivers the band’s finest songwriting to date. Spanning a wide range of genres, from a Beatles-esque pop song, Words of the Walls, which muses the storied past of an iconic apartment block, to Beauty in These Broken Bones, a full-on spiritual backed by a star-studded choir, the three collaborative yet distinct writers frame immaculately crafted songs with original and innovative instrumental work. With tastes of Albertan country, Parisian aires, banjo driven anthems and the tradition folk storytelling in a Canadiana style, the music carries the stories as compellingly as the lyrics.

Live, Red Moon Road makes a much bigger sound than one would expect from a trio. In an impressive well-choreographed show, bordering on spectacle, the trio incorporates impeccable three-part harmonies, a roots drum kit split entertainingly but pragmatically between two band members and an acoustic guitar rigged to also be a bass. A moustached man plays mandolin, lap steel, banjo and organ, and subtle technological wizardry whirls as the unmistakable soulful voice of one of Canada’s premiere songstresses floats above it all. Honed in house concerts and main stage festival appearances alike, Red Moon Road is a tapestry of song, masterful storytelling and spontaneous repartee woven seamlessly into something truly exceptional.

“Hillside Festival had the pleasure of having Red Moon Road appear at our festival this summer (2014). They were a huge hit with our audience on every stage they appeared on. They are not only an extremely talented group of musicians and fantastic to work with –the group was an invaluable part of the festival environment/experience with their natural ability to collaborate/adapt with other artists in sessions and completely engaged the audience. I give Red Moon Road a 5-Star recommendation without any hesitation.”– Sam Baijal, Artistic Director, Hillside Festival

“The end of their show is a bittersweet experience – part of you wants to hear more music and the other part wants to rush to the stage and meet the band ”–Julien Desaulniers, Artistic Producer, Festival du Voyageur

“An instant favourite of mine, this band has been winning hearts and ears wherever they go. It’s no wonder – their music could travel anywhere, from campfire to concert hall, becoming the constant companion that you can’t wait to introduce your friends to. Their straight up folksy take feels simultaneously old-fashioned and thoroughly modern.”– Tamara Kater – Folk Music Canada

“Red Moon Road are the perfect festival guests. Great multi-instrumentalists and singers who are not shy about joining in with others, they are a great spark plug for workshops.On the main stage they more than hold their own with great songs, fantastic stories and soaring harmonies. Don’t hesitate to hire them.”– James Keelaghan, Artistic Director, Summerfolk Festival

Canadian folk/roots darlings Red Moon Road return to the U.K. this October in support of the new full-length studio album Sorrows and Glories (Released Oct. 2016 in the U.K. by Folkwit Records). Live, Red Moon Road make a much bigger sound than one would expect from a trio. In an impressive, well-choreographed show they incorporate impeccable three-part harmonies, a roots drum kit split entertainingly and pragmatically between two band members, and an acoustic guitar cleverly rigged to also be a bass. Simultaneously, a moustached man plays mandolin, lap steel, banjo and organ (often at the same time), and subtle technological wizardry whirls while the unmistakable soulful voice of one of Canada’s most talented singers soars above it all. The unique show is equal parts polished songwriting, undeniable musicianship, compelling storytelling and engaging showmanship.

A wonderful review for The Driftwood Manor‘s album For The Moon from Folk Radio UK:

“This album is pure poetry – the writing is so engaging and beautifully crafted. The musicianship is so skilful, and the vocal arrangements unique. More than just listening to it, you feel it; it washes through you and seeps into your skin. And you find yourself becoming a wave too.”– Fran Lazarski, FRUK

Irish alt-folk act The Driftwood Manor mix Irish traditional music and folk with a range of other influences, from alternative rock to Eastern music and electronica. The band have released three albums and six EPs since 2008 and were voted in The Irish Times’ Breakthrough Acts of the Year for 2011 following the release of their second album ‘The same figure (leaving)’. Three English tours in 2014 and 2015 saw the band play to audiences in cities such as London, Bristol and Brighton.

The Driftwood Manor also performed twice at 2014’s Electric Picnic in Ireland and were among the headline acts at The Bath Folk Festival in August in the UK that year. The band’s last album, 2014’s Of the Storm, was voted in the Folk Radio UK Albums of the Year for 2014 and received exceptional reviews across the board. In 2015, the band again performed at Electric Picnic and a host of other festivals while touring extensively. During this time they also recorded their latest album, For the Moon, which is being released on Folkwit Records in the summer of 2016 with the singles Fraction of a Wolf and Fire and Brimstone being released in advance.

“Their music features a mass of influences but throughout you find a common ground of rich harmonies and striking yet simple melodies. For some reason I couldn’t shake off the sound of Gay and Terry Woods The Woods Band which strode that path somewhere between traditional, folk rock and a healthy dosage of seventies psychedelia. Comparing The Driftwood Manor to such a band is also a token of the value I place on their music. I really do believe they are something very special.”– Folk Radio UK

“The Driftwood Manor have made what is highly likely to be the finest record to find its way out of the thickets of Irish folk this year.”– Entertainment.ie

“Eddie Keenan is a hugely talented singer-songwriter, contributing to the ongoing development of the folk tradition in Ireland.”– The Galway Advertiser

A fabulous new album by the hugely talented UK singer-songwriter Paul Mosley – The Butcher is a folk opera – a ghost story told over 20 songs and featuring a plethora of fantastic musicians (The Red Meat Orchestra) and guests including Jamie Lawson and Josienne Clarke:

Singer-songwriter and musical adventurer Paul Mosley shares the singing duties on this beautifully arranged and produced album with various guests taking on different roles: Jamie Lawson (whose eponymously titled album reached number 1 in 2015), Josienne Clarke (BBC Folk Awards Winner 2015), Esther Dee (ex Medieaval Baebe) and Carolyn Mark (Canadian singer songwriter, Juno nominee). The musicians, under the name The Red Meat Orchestra feature Paul’s old band Moses, Bird Radio, musicians from Florence & The Machine, Feist, Benjamin Clementine and Patrick Wolf’s bands. The album is quite some musical adventure itself and one that oozes quality throughout.

“Featuring a stunning 20 songs, with 20 plus musicians from six different countries ‘The Butcher’ is an epic ghost story told in songs.”– Alex Gallacher, Folk Radio UK

“He is one of the very few people we know who constantly produce excellent sweeping concept albums. His new album ‘The Butcher’, over two years in the making, is no exception. Part ghost story, part redemption tale, part love story……one epic folk opera!’”– Laurel Canyon Music

“It’s an expansive work of two distinct parts, each of ten tracks, a composition of sweep and presence that compels you to take part … and you certainly should.”– Folk Words

“It will take you a while to thread your way through the story, even with Paul’s explanatory notes, but the music is rich enough to carry you through the bits you don’t quite understand the first time round. The Red Meat Orchestra can be everything from a rock band to a full orchestra with brass, strings, woodwinds and a harp.”– Folking.com